Biochemical and Genomic Underpinnings of Carotenoid Colour Variation Across a Hybrid Zone Between South Asian Flameback Woodpeckers.

ABSTRACT: Colouration and patterning have been implicated in lineage diversification across various taxa, as colour traits are heavily influenced by sexual and natural selection. Investigating the biochemical and genomic foundations of these traits therefore provides deeper insights into the interplay between genetics, ecology and social interactions in shaping the diversity of life. In this study, we assessed the pigment chemistries and genomic underpinnings of carotenoid colour variation in naturally hybridising Dinopium flamebacks in tropical South Asia. We employed reflectance spectrometric analysis to quantify species-specific plumage colouration, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to elucidate the feather carotenoids of flamebacks across the hybrid zone, and Genome-Wide Association

SUBMITTER: Ranasinghe RW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12456116 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature